An El Niño is caused by a periodic buildup of warm water in a specific area of the Pacific Ocean, along west coast near the equator, and last week the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported the warmest water temperatures ever taken in that region.

The coming El Niño is rapidly becoming the most powerful ever recorded.

Recent storms in Southern California have shown the terrifying effects just a few inches of water can have when it falls too quickly and on soil too dry to absorb it.

Much of Salinas lies in a floodplain, and as many locals remember all too vividly, those floods can be devastating – but they don’t need to be. It’s impossible to truly predict the effect El Niño will have on weather this winter, but we can prepare.

Thanks to a flooding and disaster preparedness community meeting held in October by Salinas councilman Steve McShane, and a few other sources, here are a few things we all can learn to do in preparation. By taking a few precautions, we can keep ourselves and our community safe.

1) Be aware

“First of all, sign up for AlertMontereyCounty,” McShane said.

AlertMontereyCounty is an automatic alert system used by county and city officials to warn residents of incoming disasters. All landlines immediately send a pre-recorded message in the event of a flood.

At AlertMountereyCounty.org, residents can also sign up to receive notifications on their cell phones and email.

2) Prepare your home

“Check to make sure your gutters are clear, there are no cracks in your roof, and there’s nowhere for water to pool near your house,” said McShane. “After a long drought, rooftops can expand and crack.”

Leaks may not seem serious, but pooling water can place serious strain on rooftops and walls.

If you need to evacuate to higher floors of your house, the Department of Water Resources advises in an online factsheet, make sure you have a way to get to your roof. Don’t evacuate to your attic.

3) Prepare your family

“Have a family emergency plan. Have a way to reach your family if you get separated. Arrange a meeting space if you’re evacuated, and know where area storm shelters are,” said McShane. “You’ll rest easier knowing your family is safe.”

4) Make emergency supply kits

Make sure you have basic emergency supplies on hand at all times. In the event of a flood, many parts of Salinas could be cut off from resources, and many stores will be closed.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that kits have blankets, flashlights, raincoats, sterile gloves and medical supplies, and enough food and water for a week.

Don Reynolds, assistant Public Works Director in Salinas, warned that a flood could contaminate water supplies in some neighborhoods. According to ready.gov, in the event of a disaster, each person needs a gallon of water per day. Ready.gov recommends storing enough water for three days.

If you take prescription medications, says the CDC, keep an extra seven-day supply on hand. Have plenty of flashlights and batteries in case the power goes out, and avoid using candles, which can be a fire hazard.

5) “Turn around, don’t drown!”

The National Weather Service says to avoid running water at all costs. Six inches of moving water can knock a person off their feet. Two feet of water can float most cars. According to the California Department of Water Resources, in a flood event, many drownings occur in cars.

6) Talk to your neighbors

According to McShane, the most important thing we can do to prepare is the easiest: Get to know your neighbors. Know who has special needs, who lives alone, or who might not be able to evacuate on their own. Check in on them if there’s a storm, and encourage them to do the same for you.

“I see this preparation,” McShane said, “as a way for Salinas to come together.”